The child and exercise: An overview

In this paper the complex topic of 'the child and exercise' is approached from a multidisciplinary angle. Research concerned with effects of exercise on growth and development is reviewed. In spite of traditional beliefs, there is not enough evidence to support the view that regular and intense physical training promotes an increase in body size, nor is there any physiological evidence that severe training has any harmful effect on the body. Exercise capacity and aerobic power increase gradually throughout childhood. Investigations have shown that children aged 10 years or younger do not react with an increased VO2 max as one would expect from endurance activities. The trainability of endurance seems to depend on the biological maturity level of growing children. After puberty the effects of endurance training are similar to those reported for adults. Just how much physical activity is necessary or optimal during the growing years is not known because individual variation is great. Even fewer results are available on the trainability of anaerobic capacity. The trainability of other factors such as strength, speed, flexibility and coordination is amply discussed. Finally some thoughts are given to young female athletes, both early and late maturers, with respect to their sport performance and expectancies.